Married in the Air

It’s your wedding day - you should feel like you’re walking on air, right? Well this couple took that quite seriously…

My mum saw this on CNN this on Tuesday and let me know. On Monday we posted about getting married in space. What will those creative brides and grooms think of next?! Found this video on NECN.com.

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Aisle Runners

A long, long, time ago, aisle runners had a tall order to fill. They were placed on the aisle to keep evil spirits from coming up through the ground and getting to the bride and groom. Since then, superstitions like this aren’t really believed by many soon-to-be-marrieds, but the ceremony accessory is still alive and kicking!

So, is an aisle runner right for you? They have their pros and cons:

Pros:
-They spice up the ceremony site, making it look more special than the everyday space
-They can add a little decoration to the space and incorporate your colors into the ceremony space
-They can help give your guests the message that they should “stay off” the aisle
-They can make you feel extra special - not many people have something special rolled out for them to walk on

Cons:
-They are an additional cost and perhaps unnecessary for brides trying to pinch their pennies
-Unless tacked to the ground in many places, they will shift and fold
-If a light color and you allow guests to talk on it pre-ceremony, you’ll see footprints all along your walk down the aisle

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Still can’t decide to use a runner or not? Here are some ways of decorating your aisle with or without a runner.
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With a runner:
-Have your monogram or names placed on the beginning of the runner
-Use a fancy or funky fabric for a unique touch
-Have it rolled out before quests get there, ust prior to the processional, or just before your walk down

Without a runner:
-Place decorations along the pews or rows of chairs to dress up the space
-Place arrangements on the floor along the sides of the aisle for a aisle-runner feel minus the actual runner
-Try focusing your decorating attention above the aisle instead of the floor - create a canopy of sorts to walk under

And for your viewing pleasure, a little number from Event Bella Designs.

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Planning The Ceremony

Let’s be honest, the wedding ceremony is THE reason for the event, right? Do it up right! Here are some steps to help you get going.

Fabulous picture from Verbena Designs.

The Ceremony: What kind would you like to have? Religious or civil? Long and sentimental or short and sweet? Fancy and frill or modern and minimalistic?
*Note: If you’re tying in different religions into your ceremony, make sure you take them into consideration for ever step of the ceremony planning!

The Location: In a church or synagogue or in a secular place? Inside or outside? At a different place from your reception location or at a different venue?

The Guests: You don’t necessarily have to invite everyone to the ceremony just because you’re inviting them to the reception (although those invited to the ceremony should definitely be invited to the reception!). Will you include everyone or just close family and friends?

The Wedding Party: How many people do you and your soon-to-be-spouse want to stand up with you? Remember: If you are going to have, say, fifty guests and ten individuals in you wedding party, the guest-to-wedding-attendant ratio will seem a little funny (twenty percent of the people in the room will be standing up with you)!

The Rituals: Write down all of the things you want to include in the ceremony. They might include an exchange of vows and rings, unity rituals, marriage contract, readings, a moment of silence, offerings to ancestors, and wine-sharing rituals. More might be the ketubah, b’deken (veiling of the bride), sheva brachot (seven blessings) and the breaking of the glass. And if you have children, you might want to think about including them in a ritual as well, like a family vow exchange or exchange of different items.

WeddingFanatic tip: when all is said and done and you’re about to walk down the aisle , take a deep breath and let what’s going to happen, happen! Share a special moment with your father (or whomever is walking you down the aisle), look into your groom’s eyes all the way down the aisle, or, mouth the words “I love you” to your mom, grandparents, and or siblings.

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Planning the Ceremony

So you’ve decided to take the plunge! Often we forget that the whole Wedding Day is in fact the Wedding Day because you’re getting married, not just because you’re having a huge party the same day to celebrate. Indeed, the wedding itself is the reason for the day, so make sure you take a lot of care in planning for it.

Below, we have listed some things to consider. But keep in mind that the tidbits we mention relate to the traditional Christian-American wedding. The white dress, the flowers, etc. But! Maybe that’s not at all the wedding you’re going for. We admire that! Let us know about the unique things you are doing or tell us about some of the religious traditions you plan to incorporate. We want to hear about it!

Let’s begin!

Ceremony Budget: This is usually about 2 percent of your total budget. Remember, Flowers and Décor come to about 8 percent of your total budget, so you don’t have to squeeze bouquets and boutonnieres into that 2 percent.

Faiths to Incorporate: Maybe you’re Jewish and he is Catholic. Perhaps your family is something else but you want to honor them by incorporating some of their ideals into the ceremony. Write down all the faiths you want to consider.

Ceremony Date Options: Sometimes the date you want the most won’t work because of the officiant or the ceremony or reception site, so have a few back-up dates in mind.

Officiant Options: Likewise, perhaps your childhood Priest is unavailable on the date or unable to travel to you. Consider your other options.

Ceremony Setting: Perhaps you have always dreamt of marrying in the church or in a garden. Or, maybe logistically, the best place for you to tie the knot is at your reception site. Or perhaps the idea of saying “I do” is most attractive to you while jumping out of an airplane or scuba diving in the ocean. Where you get hitched will affect the overall day, so consider it carefully.

Ceremony Type: Religious or Civil?

Vows: Traditional or Your Own?

Traditional Elements You Wish To Incorporate
Procession – Everyone walks in!
Opening – “Welcome…”
Main Body – A little talk your officiant gives, about marriage, love, etc.
Vows – Do you’s and I do’s
Exchange of Rings – “I, Your Name, give you, His Name, this ring as a symbol…?
Unity Rituals – Lighting the unity candle, taking your first steps as Husband and Wife, etc.
Pronouncement of Union – “I now present to you…”
Closing Remarks – Often a prayer or blessing
Recessional – Everybody walks out!

Personalized Ceremony Elements or Rituals You Wish to Add: These might come from meshing together different faiths and rituals or just something personal you want to add.

Special Persons to Honor – Maybe there is a special person in your live that you wish to remember on your special day. There are many things you can do, such as flowers on the alter or leaving an empty seat in the front row and placing a flower on it. Think of the special people you would like to honor and the ways in which you can do so.

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